Will your D* Receiver get the new HD Channels?

[Tom Snyder]

I got an email from DirecTV this morning to make sure I was ready to get he new HD channels this fall. If you're a D* customer, you've probably gotten the same email, but just in case, here are the details:

Important Information About Your HD Equipment (http://directv.com/DTVAPP/global/contentPage.jsp?assetId=P4310204&CMP=EMC-MQ-CS&ATT=120-46-070720final&m=120460005yn0300285455d)

[Bebop]

My current contract ends about the same time the new HD channels will be available. Hopefully, I can get 2 free DVRs out of them.

[murdoc]

I've got the older HR-10-250. Hopefully I can get a nice deal for upgrading 2 boxes. What does the BBC do exactly? It looks tacky just hanging off the back of the box.

[lori]

I just called DirecTv to get an upgrade for my HR10. I read on dbstalk that you can talk the CSRs into giving you one for only 19.95 The CSR I had on the phone told me I don't need to replace my HR10, I just need the B-Band converter. After I questioned him a little he said, Oh, and a 5-LNB dish. He wouldn't believe me that my HR10 is not going to be able to get the Mpeg4 channels. He said that is what the B-Band converter is for. "I do this for a living maam", he told me. Their computer systems apparently aren't up right now, so I'm going to call back in a few hours - hopefully I will get a better CSR. I do need a new receiver, don't I?

[Bebop]

I just called DirecTv to get an upgrade for my HR10. I read on dbstalk that you can talk the CSRs into giving you one for only 19.95 The CSR I had on the phone told me I don't need to replace my HR10, I just need the B-Band converter. After I questioned him a little he said, Oh, and a 5-LNB dish. He wouldn't believe me that my HR10 is not going to be able to get the Mpeg4 channels. He said that is what the B-Band converter is for. "I do this for a living maam", he told me. Their computer systems apparently aren't up right now, so I'm going to call back in a few hours - hopefully I will get a better CSR. I do need a new receiver, don't I?


Don't you trust your CSR? They are professionals. And he got you doubting yourself.

I hope I don't get the same person when I call. :)

[Bluto]

I do need a new receiver, don't I?

Yes, you NEED an HR20.

[bubbaridesfast]

I would try to upgrade now if anyone is still on the fence. New channels are likely to go live around Sept. 15 or so and my guess is that sat. installs and equipment will be in high demand by then.
I've also read on dbstalk about folks getting as many as 2 HR20's for $19.95 which I am surprised at. A buddy got one last month and couldn't get them under $199 no matter how hard he tried, then last week he upgraded a non-dvr HD box to an H20 and the D* website was offering a free upgrade to a HR20 which he actually could not use. He was miffed that now it was free and last month it was $200, of course maybe that was what qualified him for a free one - you never can understand how/why D* offers deals some times.

[lori]

I just got off the phone with D* and I'm getting my new HR20 for free. At first they offered me the $199 + 19.95 deal but I kept whining about how we'd been a customer for 12 years and have always had the Sunday Ticket and also had Center Ice for many years and couldn't they do something for us!?! After she did a lot of 'checking', she came back with the free offer. Install is set for July 31st.

[vegasvic]

I've got the older HR-10-250. Hopefully I can get a nice deal for upgrading 2 boxes. What does the BBC do exactly? It looks tacky just hanging off the back of the box.

The BBC is in the back of the box, can't see it, at least on my two HR-20's.

[Ex Direcway]

I just got off the phone with D* and I'm getting my new HR20 for free. At first they offered me the $199 + 19.95 deal but I kept whining about how we'd been a customer for 12 years and have always had the Sunday Ticket and also had Center Ice for many years and couldn't they do something for us!?! After she did a lot of 'checking', she came back with the free offer. Install is set for July 31st.

Mine was $99.00 + tax with new dish installed & they gave me the HD package free for a year which more than makes up for it. :D

[Steve Mann]

Called and got my deal done. Dish and HR20 to be installed on the 11th. Cost me nothing. Somehow, I feel dirty, though. Like I've betrayed an old friend. Tivo has been part of our family since just about the beginning. We even have TIVO vanity plates on our cars.

I'm hoping that there will be an HD Tivo that does MPEG4 in the future. Based on recent press releases, it sounds like the lines of communication are opening up a bit between Tivo and D* again, so I'm hoping that's a good sign.

[Matt Heebner]

I was just installed on Tuesday. Deal I got was new dish installed (replaced my old triple LNB), and HR20-700, and HD package free for 6 months all for $19.99.

The installer was great, super nice and even re-terminated all my cables at my newly installed multiswitch. I had an old Terk 5x8, but now you need a new Zinwell so make sure that gets installed.

As the installer was taking down my old dish, he was laughing at how old it was. He called it an antique. He said in all his years installing, he has only taken off one other dish as old as mine, and that was two years ago.....:eek:

[murdoc]

Just looking for some feedback...have all of you that had the new MPEG4 boxes installed been able to keep your old MPEG 2 boxes?

[Matt Heebner]

I did ask the installer about that and he said that Directv does not want any of the hardware back(MPEG2), and the installation company certainly doesn't want it so the answer is yes, you keep your old equipmet.

[lori]

Yes, I kept mine. I moved it to the playroom so the kids have a DVR now. The TV in there is not HD though, so maybe I would have been better off just getting them a standard DVR. They are used to the Tivo interface, though. And most of the stuff in the Now Playing List was kid stuff anyway.

[murdoc]

Well I ordered mine this weekend. I got the new slimline dish, HR20, new multiswitch, and installation for $99. They gave me 6 months of the HD package free, so I guess I'm only out $40. Install is set for Tuesday, August 14.

[vetrev]

I had to pay $199 for my new HR20-100; they said it was because I wanted to keep my HR10-250 and was not an upgrade. However, I'm hoping to get a free 6X16 Ka/Ku multiswitch out of them (internet price from $130 to $200). I had to call D* about four times though. The installer is coming tomorrow. The last installer I had was terrible. He did as little as possible and admitted he didn't even own any HD equipment himself. He was happiest when he could get out of here.

[bubbaridesfast]

I had to pay $199 for my new HR20-100; they said it was because I wanted to keep my HR10-250 and was not an upgrade. However, I'm hoping to get a free 6X16 Ka/Ku multiswitch out of them (internet price from $130 to $200). I had to call D* about four times though. The installer is coming tomorrow. The last installer I had was terrible. He did as little as possible and admitted he didn't even own any HD equipment himself. He was happiest when he could get out of here.

If the HR10-250 was owned and not leased it shouldn't have had an impact. When I tried to get my 1st H20 to replace an owned LG box the CSR told me it was $99 unless I sent my (obsolete mpeg2) box to them. I even told the CSR it's owned and obsolete. I had to ask for customer retention who immediately said "we don't want your old box" and the upgrade (H20, Sat & Install) were no charge.

[chadl11]

Here's the deal I just got.

New dish, receiver, etc. - for $99. Received an instant $50 credit and an additional $10 credit for 6 months. I guess I'm coming out ahead a few bucks in this deal. Since my current receivers are owned, I will not have to swap them out.

Install is scheduled for 8/23.

I hope everything goes well.

[chadl11]

Install is going on 4 hours right now. :(

Installer had to relocate the dish from the side of my house to the roof because of the size of the new dish. Luckily, there was really no new wiring that had to be done. Also he has had trouble locating the signal.

Now he's grabbing a new piece from his truck and heading back up the ladder.

I know it will eventually work, but..........

[Steve Mann]

I know it will eventually work, but..........

Hopefully, he's not having to deal with rain too?

[chadl11]

After about 5 hours, he had to run back to the warehouse to get more clips to attach the wires to my house. I left for a bit and he's back on the roof realigning the dish.

I have never seen anyone take so long to align the dish and find the signals. It's about 8 hours from when he first arrived and it's still not done.

After all of that, he should get rained on.

[chadl11]

Still not done. First thing in the morning, my technician, along with his supervisor are coming to get the job done.

My tech did inform me that I was the first person he has installed the HD DVR for. Now that's good news, isn't it?

At least the TiVo box I have in the basement works and I can actually watch TV.

[Tom Snyder]

Note to DirecTV/Premiere Communications:

This thread has had 1300 people view it, many of whom were considering switching to you guys, but weren't quite sure...some have concerns about the install.

If you're thinking of sending a newbie out for an install, you may want to call the customer first and ask if he posts here... if he does, reschedule with an expert installer. :rof:

[vegasvic]

It really is a crapshoot. I've had good and bad over the years. When I upgraded to the new dish and new receivers a few weeks ago it was quick. There was no wiring that needed to be done though. :)

[chadl11]

It doesn't get any better than this!

At 9:00 this morning, an hour after the supervisor and tech were supposed to come, I called to find out where they were. It turns out that my work order was cancelled. I guess the tech cancelled it because of line of sight issues (funny since I've had DirecTV for 7 years.)

Obviously, this makes no sense. I talked to the supervisor this morning and he was trying to reopen the order and get someone out. He said he didn't have anyone available to come out right away and take care of it. He had to reopen the order through DirecTV and couldn't just do it himself. I told him I can't figure out why he just didn't come out anyway since he new the problems I was having.

Anyway, after talking to him, DirecTV, someone from Premier, he (the supervisor) was going to get back in touch with me after 1:00 (since I was gone from 11-1) and inform me when they were coming back.

It's now 2:30 and I haven't heard from anyone.

I asked DirecTV for a credit on my bill or something for the trouble and all the guy could give me was 2 months of Showtime - BFD!

Needless to say, I'm just a tad bit frustrated. I have to leave tonight at 6:00 and really don't know when I'll be around on Saturday. I also head back to work on Monday so if this isn't fixed today, I don't know what's going to happen.

Time to call the supervisor again.

[chadl11]

Note to DirecTV/Premiere Communications:

This thread has had 1300 people view it, many of whom were considering switching to you guys, but weren't quite sure...some have concerns about the install.

If you're thinking of sending a newbie out for an install, you may want to call the customer first and ask if he posts here... if he does, reschedule with an expert installer. :rof:



Thanks!!:)

[chadl11]

Without speaking to me, my appointment was rescheduled for Tuesday. The supervisor I spoke to again said no one can come out until then.

I work on Tuesday.

I'm off on Friday.

Guess when my job is scheduled to be finished?

[chadl11]

I talked to someone above my supervisor, not the general manager who I'm waiting to hear from, and my install is now scheduled for Monday between 4 and 8 pm.

My fingers are crossed!

[Tom Snyder]

My fingers are crossed!So are OURS. :)

[chadl11]

I'm back in business!

The new tech showed up tonight, adjusted the satellite which was completely set up wrong, including a 3 LNB instead of a 5, used the HDMI cables, set everything up and was done in about 30 minutes.

What a difference when the tech knows what he's doing!

FINALLY!!!

:D :D

[Steve Mann]

... What a difference when the tech knows what he's doing!

FINALLY!!!

Congratulations! I'm sure you're glad that is all over and done with.

[vegasvic]

Very nice. And now in a week or two all of the new HD channels will be up. {santa}

[vegasvic]

BTW, the new SWM is in field trials, hopefully available to everyone soon. It will be available through DTV (only).

[chadl11]

BTW, the new SWM is in field trials, hopefully available to everyone soon. It will be available through DTV (only).

SWM? What's that?

[chadl11]

Congratulations! I'm sure you're glad that is all over and done with.

You are not kidding! Now I'll just sit back and enjoy glorious HDTV!

[lori]

SWM? What's that?

Single Wire Multiswitch (SWM) technology allows you to distribute satellite and Over The Air (OTA) antenna signals on a single cable. Currently the only SWM Receivers are:

D12 Standard Definition Receiver - Single Tuner
H20 / H21 HD Receivers - Single Tuner
HR20 DIRECTV PLUS HD DVR - Dual Tuner

[Bebop]

Single Wire Multiswitch (SWM) technology allows you to distribute satellite and Over The Air (OTA) antenna signals on a single cable. Currently the only SWM Receivers are:

D12 Standard Definition Receiver - Single Tuner
H20 / H21 HD Receivers - Single Tuner
HR20 DIRECTV PLUS HD DVR - Dual Tuner


Is that something like the diplexor?

Since , we are on the subject of Mpeg-4 channels. They are now listed on DirecTV 's program guide.

http://www.engadgethd.com/2007/08/29/directvs-new-mpeg4-channel-show-up-in-guide-in-engineering-mod/

[Bebop]

I finally called DirecTV for an upgrade. Right now you can probably get the HR20 for free if you have a HD Tivo. I just asked and they give it to me. But, I couldn't get another HD DVR without paying another $200. So, I just settled for a free regular receiver upgrade for my other receiver.

Currently, the installation date is short. I could have gotten it installed as early as Sept. 7.

[digdugm]

I got the HR-20-100 upgrade on 8-18, $99 w/ free HD pack for 6 months, swicthed out my sat-t60. I called on sunday before and could have had it tuesday, it was schueled for 8-12, he showed up at 10:30 and took about 2 and a half hours. He relocated the new dish, just tied into the existing cables, and installed the new 4X8 multi-switch, and did the basic dirctv stuff (the call and zip suff). I did the box install (don't like others poking around in my stuff). I am very pleased with the install and the new box ain't a tivo, but seems to be solid. just got back from a 11 day trip to the nortwoods so I'll need more time to play. I did hook up a 750 GB eSATA and that seems to work great.